title: A new type of toxin in the venom of snakes of the genus Atractaspis (Atractaspidinae).
abstract: The venom of Atractaspis is unique in having a large percentage of both high and low molecular weight components. Its Sephadex G-50 S5 fraction appears to represent a new type of toxin that contains 17-18 Asx, 13-14 Cys and 10-11 Glx out of a total of 72-78 amino acids. The N-terminal of this toxin does not seem to resemble any of the known toxins. The overall lethal potency of the venom is very high; i.v. injections of 5 microgram of venom or 1 microgram of fractions S5 or S6 per mouse causes death within minutes. The results of the present study corroborate previous findings that suggested a separate grouping of the snakes genus Atractaspis at the subfamilial or familial level.
mesh_terms: D000596:Amino Acids / Q000032:analysis; D000818:Animals; D055598:Chemical Phenomena; D002621:Chemistry; D004798:Enzymes / Q000032:analysis; D005088:Exocrine Glands / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D005779:Immunodiffusion; D051379:Mice; D014118:Toxins, Biological / Q000032:analysis* / Q000633:toxicity; D014757:Viper Venoms / Q000032:analysis*
chemical_list: D000596:Amino Acids; D004798:Enzymes; D014118:Toxins, Biological; D014757:Viper Venoms